family

The adorable levels were pretty much maxed out at our house this weekend. Our friends Amy & Garett and baby ("Wy no baby, Wy big boy!) Wyatt hung out with us and we were once again reminded that although it's only one state over, California is still way too far away. Come back soon!!

Will they think matching outfits are cute when we show this photo at their rehearsal dinner slideshow?

Jumping on the trampoline is hard work!

Post breakfast band rehearsal

Early morning showing of "Tumbowina"

Showing off their cuteness at the Wheaton reunion BBQ

Here's a couple photos of how the two have changed over the years:

I can't wait to see how their lives and their friendship unfolds in the years to come...

bear hug

Because sometimes, at the end of long day, all you want to do is strip naked and curl up on your cozy bear rug...

Exhausted.

My grandparents left about 3 hours ago and I am wiped. It is no easy feat to get my children out of the house every morning but to have them camera ready every day with only car naps and on the go meals is a recipe for disaster. We survived however and are counting down the days (FIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) until we become a full time (well 2 1/2 months) two parent family. It was such an emotional week as well with Ben's job situation. I would fall into bed at 10 and then my mind would start wandering to thoughts of packing up our house and living in a rental and searching for a job. So we found out on Tuesday night that his job was saved and I am so thankful that God has once again provided for us.

Anyway, here are a few photos from our busy week.

Taking a trip to the Rose Garden in Portland. Such a beautiful day!!

The ladies...and Ian.

Cutie pie

This was our Monday playdate with Grant and Miriam. I love having other kids over so I can bake without Ava asking for my help every two seconds. On the menu that day: rhubarb big crumb coffee cake, roasted pork tenderloin with honey cumin glaze, wild mushroom risotto, broccoli, classic pound cake with ice cream and rhubarb simple syrup. It was a long day in the kitchen but at the end of the evening grammy said, "You do cook with love don't you." :)

You can never have too many princesses.

On Friday we drove down to Eugene to take my cousin's daughter out for her birthday. She's had a pretty rough year with her mom in jail and then her dad passing away so we thought she might appreciate a visit from her grandparents (actually great grandparents). She's doing really well and it was such a nice visit.

After one too many cocktails Grammy was licking the chocolate sauce from our ice cream glass.
Classic Grandpa in a totally monotone voice: "It's her birthday. What do you guys do here?" After trying not to laugh the waitress replied, "We do a song and a sundae." Grandpa's response. "Fine, we'll have that."
Peek-A-Boo

He may drink whisky and yell curse words in front of your children, but this man will get you where you need to go.

Ice Cream!! Although I was eyeing a certain yellow menu the whole evening. :)

Let's eat!

Um..you've got something on your chin. Ian, that is so embarrassing.

gross

Ava: I ate a booger mama but that's a surprise!

Crossroads

Tomorrow is a big day for our family. For the past two months we've heard rumors of budget deficits and job cuts and it's finally coming down to a vote tomorrow. There was a lottery and Ben didn't get a great number but close to the middle so it could be worse. I've had a pretty significant peace about it, which a wise soul reminded me was a gift I should be thankful for. I figure the worst that could happen would be selling the house and having to move all our acquired belongings into a pod. I'm pretty much just thankful that we're all healthy and getting along on most days. Ben also has an interview tomorrow for an instructional coordinator job in the district. They posted it internally on Thursday and he applied that night and got an interview Friday. We drove by the school and it's beautiful and even closer than his current school. This would be the perfect job for him because he's been ready for a change and it would be a good transition into becoming a principal. (As a side note he just cut his hair and put on his Varvatos suit and whew!, I would hire him and then take him right there in my office...uh hi Dad!) Anyway, it's not everyday that you either get fired or promoted so for those of you who believe in the power of prayer, tomorrow would be a good day to give a shout out for the Hsiehs. Did that sound kind of blasphemous? Maybe, tomorrow would be a good day to lift our concerns up to the Lord. There, that sounds better.

Giggles...

My babies are kind of on the slow side when it comes to a sense of humor. I've probably heard Ian laugh less then 10 times in his life. We are always looking for ways to get him to giggle and Daddy seems to have found one. Of course every time we've tried it since, he's only given us a slight smile, as if to say, "You're going to have to try harder than that."